High riskGovernment, Tax & Legal Scams

Jury Duty Scam

This scam involves a call, voicemail, or text claiming you missed jury duty and now face a fine or arrest unless you pay immediately, often by gift card or prepaid card. The caller uses fear and urgency to push you into paying before you can check.

Quick verdict

Risk level
High risk
Scam type
Law enforcement impersonation scam
Main red flag
A caller demanding immediate payment for a 'missed jury duty' fine, especially by gift card, to avoid arrest.
What to do first
Hang up and do not pay. Contact the court directly using a phone number from its official website.

What this scam usually looks like

This scam involves a call, voicemail, or text claiming you missed jury duty and now face a fine or arrest unless you pay immediately, often by gift card or prepaid card. The caller uses fear and urgency to push you into paying before you can check.

Example message pattern

Example pattern — not a real report
Example pattern: 'This is the County Sheriff's Office. You failed to appear for jury duty and a warrant has been issued. To avoid arrest, call back immediately and resolve your $500 fine.'

This is a fictional, anonymised example used to illustrate the pattern. It is not a verified real message, and any names are used only to show how the scam typically reads.

Red flags to watch for

  • A claim that you missed jury duty you never received notice of
  • A threat of immediate arrest or a warrant unless you pay
  • A demand for payment by gift card, prepaid card, e-transfer, or wire
  • Pressure to act right away and to stay on the phone
  • A request for personal details such as your date of birth or banking information

What to do

  • Hang up and take a moment before doing anything
  • Look up the court or sheriff's office number independently and call to verify
  • Note any caller details and report the call to local police and your national anti-fraud centre
  • Tell a trusted friend or family member, as talking it through helps break the pressure

If you already clicked or replied

  • If you bought gift cards, keep the cards and receipts and report it to the card issuer right away
  • If you sent an e-transfer or shared banking details, contact your bank immediately
  • If you gave personal details, watch for further suspicious contact and consider a fraud alert
  • Report the incident to local police and your national anti-fraud centre

What not to do

  • Do not pay any 'fine' by gift card, prepaid card, or wire transfer
  • Do not share personal or banking information over the phone
  • Do not let the caller keep you on the line or rush your decision

Similar scams

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IRS Tax Scam

This scam uses a call, voicemail, text, or email pretending to be the IRS or another tax agency, claiming you owe back taxes and threatening arrest, lawsuit, or deportation unless you pay at once by gift card, wire, or crypto.
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Social Security Scam

This scam uses a call, robocall, or voicemail claiming your Social Security number has been 'suspended' over suspicious activity, then pressures you to confirm your number or pay to 'reactivate' it.
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Immigration Scam

This scam involves a caller or message posing as an immigration or border agency that threatens deportation, visa cancellation, or arrest over a supposed problem with your status. The aim is to frighten you into making an immediate payment or handing over passport and personal details.

Frequently asked questions

Do courts really call about missed jury duty and demand payment?
Courts normally contact you first by official mail, not by a surprise call demanding instant payment. They do not take gift cards or threaten on-the-spot arrest over the phone, so this is a common scam pattern.
The caller knew my name and address, so is it genuine?
Scammers often find names and addresses from public or leaked sources. Knowing basic details does not prove the call is real, so verify through the court's official number.
What if I already paid?
Act quickly. If you used gift cards, contact the card issuer with the card numbers and receipts. If you used your bank or e-transfer, contact your bank, then report it to police and your anti-fraud centre.
How can I report a jury duty scam?
Report it to your local court or sheriff's office, to local police, and to your national anti-fraud centre. Sharing details helps warn others.

Last reviewed: June 2026

Disclaimer: This page provides educational information only to help you recognise common scam patterns. It is not legal, financial, cybersecurity, or law enforcement advice, and it does not confirm whether any specific message, company, or person is genuine or fraudulent. When in doubt, contact the official organisation directly and report concerns to your local authorities.